Everyone remembers sports day from their school days as this is always a fun day that brings everyone together while adding a healthy dose of competition!
Planning a school sports day is a lot of hard work, but also incredibly rewarding. This post will take you through the key steps to plan a fun and engaging school sports day.
Date & Times
First, you need to choose a date and time for the event. You want to make sure that it does not clash with other events or holidays and pick a day when the weather should be good. Of course, UK weather is unpredictable even in the summer, so you need to have an indoor backup plan. Once you have a date set, you can create time slots for each activity for a smooth transition.
Budget
Next, you need to create a budget that factors in costs like equipment, refreshments, and prizes. You could also arrange fundraising activities or seek sponsorship to cover the costs.
Personnel
A school sports day is a major event, so you need to recruit volunteers to help with all aspects – this can include teachers, parents, and students. Make sure everyone has a clearly defined role for the day.
Activities
You will want a range of activities that will cater to different skills and interests. A mix of classic and novelty options can make the day fun and engaging. A few ideas include:
- Sprints
- Long-distance running
- Relays
- Long jump
- Egg and spoon race
- Sack race
- Three-legged race
Equipment
Once you know the activities, you can secure the equipment. The school is likely to have many of the items you need, but you can rent anything else that is missing. If you need specialist equipment, you can use storage container hire to safely store it, such as large inflatables for obstacle courses, archery targets, or high jump mats.
Teams
Diving teams is tough as you want to ensure fairness and balance. Many schools split students into teams based on class or a house system.
Prizes (Optional)
Prizes can make the day more memorable and give students incentive to try their best. Trophies, medals, and certificates are all examples of prizes that can add extra motivation.
Refreshments
You will need a lot of refreshments to keep everyone hydrated, comfortable, and happy throughout the day. This should include plenty of water and a range of healthy snacks.
Communication
Communication is key to a successful sports day. Send out detailed information to students and parents well in advance so that everyone is prepared and knows what to expect.
Fun
Finally, try to make the day as fun as possible for all involved. This means making activities inclusive and celebrating everyone’s achievements as an entire school. You should also emphasise the importance of good sportsmanship during competitive activities.
This guide should help you plan a successful and fun school sports day that brings everyone together.
